Plumbago auriculata named &#39;Monite&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct selection of Plumbago shrub, denominated as Plumbago auriculata named ‘Monite’, substantially as shown and described.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to a new and distinct selection ofPlumbago auriculata, which is native to Southern Africa, and a member ofthe Leadwort family. The new variety, Plumbago auriculata cv. ‘Monite’resulted from a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation which wasdiscovered in May of 1999 in a cultivated planting of Plumbagoauriculata ‘Monott’ (U.S. Plant Pat. #7822). ‘Monite’ exhibited a whiteflower in #1 nursery containers in Azusa, Calif.. The ‘Monite’ selectiondiffers from ‘Monott’ by possessing a white flower versus the rich blueflower of ‘Monott’. ‘Monite’ differs from other Plumbago plants by itscombination of floriferous habit of white flowers and larger and widerpetals and a more dense compact growth habit.

[0002] The new plant has been asexually reproduced by cuttings since itsdiscovery in 1999 in Azusa, Calif.. Through extensive asexualpropagation of this plant and observation, it has been established thatthe plant is true to type and the novel, exceptional characteristics ofthis new plant are fixed and stable and reliably passed on to progenythrough asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY

[0003] Plumbago auriculata cultivar ‘Monite’ possesses a white flower.Other white flowering Plumbago plants do exist, however; the individualflowers do not exhibit the larger size and fullness associated with theoverlapping flower petals of cultivar ‘Monite’.

[0004] The compact growth habit of cultivar ‘Monite’ sets this plantapart from other Plumbago plants which are generally sprawling, moundingplants with a height of 6-8 feet and 8-10 foot spread. The growth habitof cultivar ‘Monite’ is slightly smaller than ‘Monott’.

[0005] The cultivar ‘Nonite’ typically will bloom for eight to ninemonths of the year in Southern California conunencing bloom before eventhe early cultivar ‘Monott’. Comparison of other Plumbago plantsdemonstrate cultivar ‘Monite’ has the propensity to conspicuously growless and flower more when grown under similar conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006]FIG. 1 photograph exhibits a close up of the inflorescence ofcultivar ‘Monite’.

[0007]FIG. 2 photograph shows the comparison of cultivar ‘Monite’ aboveand cultivar ‘Monott’ below and the similarity of flower size andcontrast of flower color.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0008] Below is a detailed description of Plumbago auriculata cultivar‘Monite’. Color terminology is from the Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Charts. Measurements are based on plants grown in SouthernCalifornia.

[0009] Overall habit: mounding shrub

[0010] Overall size: Maximum height from soil surface to top of foliageranges from 120 cm to 150 cm Maximum width of the plant ranges from 120cm to 150 cm

[0011] Flowering time in Southern California: Flowering commences inearly March and continues until November.

[0012] FLOWER:

[0013]Arrangement.—terminal, spike like racemes

[0014]Corolla diameter.—averaging 2.5 to 3 cm in width

[0015]Corolla color.—White Group 155D

[0016]Corolla.—tubular with 5 parted lobes

[0017]tube.—typically 3 cm in length; 2 mm in width lobes: slightlyoverlapping, obovate in shape, acute base averaging 1.5 cm long and 1 cmwide, prominent midrib, slightly depressed. texture: thin, glabrous

[0018]Calyx.—tubular, 5 parted at tip color: Green Group 141C size:averaging 1.3 cm in length, 3 mm in width surface: upper half ofcalyxwith stalked glands, Greyed-Red Group 180C bracts: 3 at base, 6-7mm long and 2 mm wide, color Green Group 141C Stamens: 5 in number,adhering to within throat arising above corolla tube. anthers: lengthaveraging 2 mm width: less than 1 mm color: Violet-Blue 92B filaments:length averaging 3 cm width: less than 1 mm, very slender color: WhiteGroup 155D Pistil: averaging 2 cm in length. Color: White Group 155D

[0019] FRUIT: to date not observed.

[0020] FOLIAGE:

[0021]Size.—Length: ranges from 3.5 cm to 6.5 cm Width: ranges from 1 cmto 2 cm

[0022]Shape.—Overall: oblong to oblong—spatulate to obtuse Base:auricled, wrapping around stem, narrowly acute. Tip: shortly mucronate.

[0023]Margin.—entire, slightly undulate

[0024]Color.—mature upper surface: Yellow Green Group 146A mature lowersurface: Yellow Green Group 146B juvenile upper surface: Yellow GreenGroup 146B juvenile lower surface: Yellow Green Group 146C

[0025]Texture.—thin, glabrous

[0026]Arrangement.—alternate

[0027] BRANCHLETS:

[0028]juvenile.—lightly ribbed, 2-3 mm in diameter color: Yellow GreenGroup 146B

[0029]mature.—3 mm and larger in diameter color: Red-Purple Group 59Cmixed with Yellow Green Group 146B

[0030] DISEASE RESISTANCE: As is typical of this species, ‘Monite’cultivar exhibited a strong resistance to disease under normal growingconditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Plumbago auriculata plant named ‘Monite’substantially as shown and described which differs distinctly from otherPlumbago auriculata plants by its unique combination of longer bloomseason, of floriferous habit of white flowers with larger and widerpetals and a more dense compact growth habit.